Nothing like a good Check Engine Light (CEL) to end your day!!

SUBJECT

2003 VW 24v GTI VR6

aka MkIV or Mk4 body style

201hp / 200 lb-ft Torque (Stock)

Purchased 12/27/09 from 2nd owner with 69,400 miles.

Acquired car with following mods:

Cold Air Intake (CAI) "Unknown Brand"

3" stainless catback exhaust, resonator delete
Upgraded brakes all around. Slotted and cross-drilled
Clear side turn signal lenses
De-badged
18 OEM wheels from a VW R32
R32 pedel set
Alpine head unit with 7" touchscreen DVD/TV/iPod
Alpine amp & Rockford Fosgate sub

Mods performed since ownership:

Unitronics Stage 1+ ECU Flash (+18hp)

Euro Headlight Switch

BFI Stage 2 Dogbone Mount

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Nothing like a good Check Engine Light (CEL) to end your day!!

So on my home from work tonight, I noticed the an ever so slight change in exhast note. Then I thought I noticed the car did not "pull" from 1st to 2nd like it normaly does. I passed it off and pulled into a gas station about 2 miles from the house to use the air compressor. Car idled for about 7 minutes as I added air and checked each tire. Got in the car and as I pulled away from the station all was good until reved in 2nd on my way to 3rd ...all of a sudden the car lost power and engine "spudderd" akin to hitting the rev limiter. I come off throtle and seconds later I get my first "Check Engine Light" (CEL) ...yeah me.

I limped home sorta calm as I knew with 80% certainty that it was one of my coil-on-plugs (aka Coil packs). This motor has 6 separate Coils located above the spark plugs and are notorious for going bad.

Using a technique that I learned on vwvortex, while the car was still running, I removed one coil at a time and listen for engine RPM change. If there is a change, then that coil is working....needless to say it was the last coil I pulled that had no change in engine RPM or sound for that matter. Eureka!